Machine-output-indicating device.



v 0. HICKI'ON.

MACHINE OUTPUT INDIGA'If ING DEVICE Arrmqumn FILED .ru. 20, 1am

1,013,389. Patented Jan 2, 1912.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

U. HIGKTON.

MACHINE OUTPUT INDIGATING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED JAN.20,1910.

1,01 3,389. Patented Jan. 2, 1912.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2 c. HIGKTON. I MACHINE OUTPUT INDIGATING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED J/AR'HQO, 1910.

1,013,389. Patented Jan. 2, 1912.

'7 SHEETS-SHEET 3 Figi.

0. HIGKTON. MACHINE OUTPUT INDICATING DEVIOE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 20 1910. V

1,013,389. Patented Jan. 2, 1912.

7 SHEETB-SHEET 4.

' 172022252) m Via w C. HIOKTON.

MACHINE OUTPUT INDIOATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.20,1910.

1,013,389, Patented Jan.2,1912.

7 SHEETSSHEET 6 V 701267116 2 7" 1 ML flw%]24 @65 5? JW Z/ k dm, Q M

C. HIGKTON.

MACHINE OUTPUT INDICATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 20, 1910.

1,01 3,389. Patented Jan. 2, 1912.

7 BHEETS-SHEET 6.

.ZalwM/pvm 54 fiwna 06 Z/ %l/m,@zuwwm v% r WW G. HICKTON.

MACHINE OUTPUT INDIGATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 20, 1910.

1,013,389. Patented Jan. 2, 1912.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

- UNITED STATES 1 mm OFFICE.

CHARLES HICKTON, OF LONG EATON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM PARNHAM SMITH AND ONE-HALF TO JOHN PATRICK NEWTON, OF LONG EATON,

ENGLAND.

MACHINE-OUTPUT-INDICATING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 20, 1910. Serial No. 589,129.

Patented Jan. 2,1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLESJIICKTON, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing at .Carfield avenue, Long Eaton, in the county of Derby, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements Relating to Machine-Output- Indicating Devices, of which the following is the form of a series of ratchet wheels pro of the train is usually set to zero at the beginning of a piece of work by'the operator and at any time therefore, this wheel indicates the number of racks of work made upon the machine in connection with the particular piece of material under manufacture.

Such mechanism as above indicated is generally exposed and can be tampered with by the operator, who is paid by the number of racks made in a given time, whatever the len h of lace may be'per rack.

he primary object of the present invention is to enable a record to be obtained of the output in racks of each machine and also a record of the running and idle time of the machine. I

A further object of the invention is to construct and arrange the measuring mechanism in such a way thatit cannot be tampered with without detection, the final wheel being preferably still capable of being set to zero as required by the operator.

To these ends the invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring/to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the invention:--Figure 1 shows a front view ofthe measuring ap'paratus attached to the machine and operated by any convenient workmg part; Fig. 2 shows a front view of the be t lever switch. Fig. 3 being a detail section of the same on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 4" show a plan of the recording apparatus for a number of different machines. Fig. 5 being an end view of the same looking on its left-hand end and showing in particular the electrically operated mechanism for intermittently rotating the recording drum, and Fig. 6 being an end View of the same apparatus looking on its right-hand end and showing in particular the automatic ribbon feeding mechanism connected to the hinged door of the case in which the recording instrument is inclosed. Fig. 7 shows a detail view of the ribbon feeding mechanism detached from the rest of the apparatus and viewed as indicated by the arrows from the line 77 of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 shows a detail side elevation of the hammer operating mechanism and magnets for one machine viewed as indicated by the arrows from the line 88 of Fig. 4, while finally Fig. 9 shows a diagrammatic view of the electrical connections for a recording instrument for two machines.

The same reference symbols are employed.

tion by way of example, and will take in orside and padlocked or otherwise secured when closed, so that the mechanism cannot be tampered with, a glass window preferably being provided in the lid for observation purposes.

Turning now itself, this consists in a ratchet .wheel, 5, operated by a pawl, a, pivoted on a lever, d, in turn pivoted to the casing at the point e. The lever, d, is connected by any suitable to the measuring mechanism means to a convenient .part of the lace- 11c working or other machine so as to be reciprocated at each working stroke. To prevent access to the inside of the casing, the pawl, c, is provided with a shield, f, to cover the aperture through which it passes. A pin, h, on the first ratchet wheel, I), at every revolution of the latter takes into the teeth of a similar ratchet wheel, 2', rotating it through a certain distance. Backward -motion of these ratchet wheels is prevented by pivoted pawls, m and n, which may conveniently be linked together, as shown, by a spring, 0.

The measuring mechanism proper is completed by a third wheel, 1' provided with a spring controlled pawl, 8, this third wheel lying for the most part outside the casing so that its indications can be readily read off by the operator, and its position set to zero when required. This wheel, r, is operated from the second wheel in a similar way to that in which the latter is operated from the first wheel, namely by a pin, t, which takes into the teeth of the third wheel at each revolution of the second.

In order that a record may be obtained both of the number ofracks or work done and also of the idle and running time of the machine, I arrange for certain switches to be operated in the following manner: In the first place I provide a switch, u, sup ported by a spring, 41, which normally presses it against ,the insulated stop, 10. This switch itself carries a light spring, m, which makes contact with the pin, 2, when an insulated pin, 2, on the second ratchet wheel comes into operative engagement with the switch at each revolution. This pin, 2, on the second ratchet wheel also operates a spring-controlled trip-lever or tumbler, 3, carrying a downwardly projecting pin, 4, which in its centerposition serves to swing a second switch, 5, about the spring; 6,. which supports it, and to cause the light spring, 7

, attached to it to make contact with the terminal, 8. A stop, 9, is provided to limit the motion of the tumbler in one direction, while the switch, 5, is provided with a member, the periphery of which is so curved as shown at 10, that the pin, 4:, on the tumbler when at the ends of its travel allows the switch under I the influence of the spring, 6, which supports it, to break contact between the light spring, 7, and the terminal 8, but cause contact to be made when in about its central position. The object of this part of the mechanism is to cause a momentary current to be sent to the recording apparatus, at each revolution of the second wheel corresponding to one rack of work. is being necessary as will be hereinafter described that to enable the current to be sent,

each of the light spring switches w and 7, must be in contact with its corresponding terminal.

The action of the mechanism is as follows :--The insulated pin, 2, on the second wheel moving in the direction shown by the arrow, causes the tumbler to move over from the position shown in dotted lines to that shown in full lines. It will be seen that in this position the tail or-upper end of the tumbler is in close contact with the adjacent part of the switch, a, so that momentarily the pin,'2 is in contact with-both members, thereby completing a circuit between the light spring, 00, and the terminal, 2. This contact is still maintained as the pin, 2, passes clear of the tumbler which is immediately pulled over against the stop, 9, by the spring, 10, causing at about the center of its motion momentary contact to be made be tween the light spring and the terminal. Since the two switches, u and 5, are'in series, a path is thus provided for an instant for the current to pass to the recording apparatus. Shortly after the tumbler has moved back under the influence of the spring, 11, the insulated pin, 2, will clear the switch, a, which thereupon returns to its position in contact with the insulated stop. Passing now to the second unit of the complete installation namely, the belt lever switch H (see Figs. 2, 3 and 9) this may consist of an arm, 12, having a rod, 13, of insulated material projecting from its end and rigidly connected with a bracket, 14, or the like which can be fixed to any convenient part of the machine. A sector-shaped oasing, 15, is mounted on' the lever, 16, which moves the belt from the fixed to the loose pulley or vice versa so as to stop or start the machine. The casing carries a switch consisting of a fixed terminal, 17, and a light spring, 18, carried on an arm, 19, and normally held in position to open the circuit by the supporting spring, 20. The switch arm, 19, carries a raised member, 21, which as the lever is thrown over to start the machine, comes into contact with the insulated rod, and closes the circuit. It will be obvious that this switch may be operated from any other part of the machine which has one position when the machine is working and. another position when stopped.

The electrical connections between the measuring mechanism, the belt lever switch, and recording instrument, will be described hereinafter.

I will now describe the recording instrument itself, with reference to Figs. 4 to 8. The instrument consists of two frames or standards, 22, connected by suitable ties, 23, and carrying between them a drum, 24, from which the record chart is drawn. The chart passes from this drum, beneath suitable spring clips, 26, to a second drum, 27 driven by clockwork, this second drum being rovided with pins, 28, at its extremities taking into corresponding holes punched along the edges 'of the chart. The driving drum, 27, carries on its axis a spur wheel, 29, which is driven by a pinion, 30, mounted on the clock spindle, 31, which in turn carries a ratchet wheel, 32, fed intermittently forward by the pawl, 33, pivotally mounted on the end of the lever, 34. This lever is carried by the armature, 35, of the driving magnet, 36, lever and armat-uretogether being pivotally mounted on'the spindle, 37, the magnetic circuit being completed by the right, angled bend, 38, forming part of the armature.

Suitable springs, 39, are provided to control the motion of the operating pawl, 33, and stops, 40, to limit its motion. A second pawl, 41, is also provided to prevent return of the ratchet wheel. cording drum are arranged a series of hammers, 42 and 43, two to each lace-making machine, these hammers being operated re-' spectively by electromagnets, 44v and 45,

arranged at the back of the machine in pairs one behind the other. Above each pair of magnets is arranged an armature, 46", pivoted at its center point, and held 1n its neutral position by a suitable spring, 47, its ends being disposed respectively in operat-ive relationship to the magnets. One of the hammers for each lace making machine is carried directly by the armature, as shown in Fig. 8, while theo-ther, preferably arranged in close proximity to the first, is pivoted at its rear end to the bar, 48, and by means of a pin, 49, on the armature is drawn down when the proper magnet is energized, a light spring, 50, serving to withdraw this hammer after it has made its operative stroke.

Underneath the line of hammers is arranged a brass plate, '51, making a slight angle to the axis of the drum, and provided with a slot, 52, passing beneath the operative ends of the hammers, and inclined in relation to the plate itself. Over this plate passes an inked ribbon, 53, which is drawn by mechanism to be explainedheremafter from the roller, 54, and wound on to the roller, 55,- the ribbon passing at-a slight angle to the axis of the drum, and therefore corresponding in position with the brass plate, the object of this disposition of parts being to utilize the full breadth of the ribbon. To feed the ribbon forward the receiving roller, 55, is provided with a spur wheel, 56, gearing with a second spur wheel, 57, carrying a ratchet wheel, 58, rigidly attached thereto. A spring pressed pawl, 59,

, carried on the end of a. double lever, 60,

nism described, the ribbon is thus automativ Above the re-- cally fed forward once a day when in the v usual course the case is opened to remove that portion of the chart corresponding to a days work. f l

Suitable terminals are arranged on the base on which the instrument is mounted for making the necessary'electrical connections, such connect-ions being shown in full in Fig. 9. Referring to this figure, the battery, A, which operates both the drum driving magnet, 36, and the hammer magnets, 44 and 45, for a number of difierent lace making machines is included in a circuit with the drum driving magnet, 36, and the controlling clock, E, which may be of any suitable or well known formv adapted "to intermittently close the circuit. In shunt with this circuit is a second circuit passing by way of the switch, it, in the casing of the measuring mechanism, and thence by way of one of the hammer magnets, 44, and the belt lever switch, H ..a second circuit passing by way of the switches, at and 5, in the measuring mechanism casing and the magnet, 45. Connections'are also shown for a second pair of magnets and the switches corresponding to a second lace making machine, but it will be evident that the number of machines for which a recording instrument is used may be extended as required; the magnets, switch t-icular lace making machine. The switch u, in the casing of the measuring mechanism will normally be closed, and if the lace mak-. ing machine is running the belt lever switch will also be closed, and .at each closing of the circuit by the clock a current will pass from the battery through the energizing coils of the magnet, 44, and will operate the hammer, 42. At the same time each closing of the circuit by the clock sends a current from the battery through the drum driving magnet thereb intermittently rotating the. drum. The e ect of the slow rotation of the drum and the rapidly repeated action of the hammer, will be in effect to draw a line on the chart so long as the lace making machine in question is running. If the rum chine is not running the belt lever switch will be open, and no current can pass to the hammer magnet. The chart being ruled or otherwise graduated on a time basis the running and idle time of' the machine can at once be ascertained by inspection of the plete installation with reference to one parrecord. As the ratchet wheels of the measuring mechanism rotate and on the compleway of the switch, u, the switch, 5, and the energizing coil, 45, ofthe rack'recording magnet, 43, which Will thereupon be operated and make a mark on the chart recording the completion of a rack of work.

The recording instrument is placed in a suitable ofiice and locked up so that it cannot be tampered with. A continuous record of the working of the machines in the factory can thus be contained on one sheet, so giving a proper check on the Workers.

It will be evident that many variatlons can be made from the particular embodiment of my invention which has been described in detail above.

Having now described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In combination With a lace making or other textile machine an apparatus consisting in a clock-driven recording drum, a lever switch adapted to be closed when the machine is running and to be open when the machine is stopped, a clock controlled makeand-break devicein circuit with said switch, an output recording instrument whereby the amount of work completed by, and the idle and running time of one or more machines are simultaneously recorded.

2. In a machine-output indicating device, a record-receiving element; a record-maker coacting therewith; electrically operated means for actuating said record-maker and in circuit with said actuating means a clockcontrolled make-and-break and a switch controlling said circuit, said switch being adapted to be closed when the machine is running and vice versa.

3. In a machine output indicating device, a train of measuring wheels one of which is graduated to indicate output and positionable to a given graduation independently of the other wheels; a casing inclosing certain of said Wheels, said casing having a closefitting opening through which said graduated Wheel projects; a record-receiving element; a record-maker disposed in operative relationship to said record-receiving element and means actuated by one of said inclosed wheels for operating said recordmaker.

4. In a machine output indicating device,

a record-receiving element, time and output.

record makers co-acting therewith, electromagnetic means for actuating said record makers and a combined starting lever and switch for starting the machine and rendering operative both of said actuating means.

5. In a machine-output indicating device, a train of measuring Wheels; time and-output record-makers; means for operating said output record-maker from one of 'said measuring wheels; and electrically operated means for actuating said time record-maker and in circuit therewith a clock-controlled make-and-break.

means beingon separate circuits, and a two- 7 way switch for determining which of said means shall operate.

7. In a machine-output indicating device, time and output record-makers; actuators therefor; record-receiving means and means for moving the same relatively to said record-makers together with a single source of electrical energy for operating said actuators and moving said record-receiving means.

8. In a machine-output indicating device, a train of measuring wheels; a recordreceiving element and a record-maker coacting therewith; electrically operated means for operating said record-maker; a pair of switches in series controlling said operating means and means actuated by one of said measuring wheels for first closing one of said switches and while closed momentarily closing the other of said switches.

9. In a machine-output indicating device, a train of measuring wheels; a record-maker and electrically operated means for actuating the same; a pair of switches in series controlling said actuating means, one of said switches including a 'trip tumbler member and a pin on one of said Wheels for tripping said tumbler member.

10. In a machine-output indicating device,.record-receiving means; time and output record-makers co-acting therewith, and electro-magnetic means for operating one only of said record-makers for a machine at a given moment.

12. In a machine-output indicating device, record-receiving means; time and output record-makers cO-acting therewith; electromagnets in shunt; a common armature for operating said record-makers and a two-way switch controlling said electromagnets.

13. In a machine-output indicating de vice, record-receiving means; a recordmaker co-acting therewith; means for actuatingsaid record-maker; means for rendering operative said actuating means, and an instrumentality for starting said machine, said instrumentality and said rendering operative means being in operative relationship.

.14. In a machine-output indicating device, record-receiving means; a recordmaker co-acting therewith; electrically operated means for actuating said recordmaker; a switch controlling said electrically operated means and a single instrumentality 7 forstarting said machine and closing saidalined markers co-acting therewith and a ribbon angled tolsaid alined markers, anddisposed between the receiver. I v

17. In a machine-outputindicating device, a record-receiver; a plurality of markers co-acting therewith; and a superposed ribbon and plate disposed between said markers and said-record-receiver, said plate being apertured tocorrespond with said markers.

18. In a machine-output indicating device, a record-receiver; a plurality of alined markers co-acting therewith; and a superposed ribbon and plate angled to said alined markers, said plate'having an aperture corresponding with saidvalined markers.

19. In amachine-output indicating device, a record-receiver; a plurality of alined markers co-acting therewith, and a ribbon angled to said alined markers to an extent dependent on the ratio of the breadth of said ribbon to the length of the line of markers.

20. In a machine-output indicating device, side frames; record-receiving means;-

a roll pivoted to and between said frames, said roll having means for engaging said record-receiving means; means for driving said roll and time and output markers for a plurality of machines, said time and output markers having their operative ends alternately arranged and alined in operative relationship to said roll.

21. In combination a clock-driven record ing drum, a lever switch adapted to be closed when the machine is running and to be open when the machine is stopped, a

clock controlled make-and-break device in circuit with said switch, means for sending a momentary current of electricity on the completion of a definite amountof work, a recording instrument actuated by said current whereby the amount of work completed by, and the idle and running time of one or more machines are simultaneously recorded.

22. In a machine-output indicating device an' outer casing, a door in said casing, a recording drum placed within said casing, a chart and ribbon moving over said drum, said ribbon being automatically fed by the operation of the casing door, an automatic time and output recording means whereby the work done by, and the idle and running same and said recordtime of'one or more machines are recorded simultaneously.

23. In a machine-output indicating device, a common sourceof electrical energy, a clock driven recording drum, a system of magnets, markers operated by said magnets,

means for clos ng an electrlcalcircuit on' the starting of one or more machines and for" opening said circuit on the stopping of the same, a clock controlled make-and-break'device,\.whereby the idle and running time of. one or, more; machines is recorded together with means for momentarily closing another circuit on the completion of a definite amount. of work, whereby said magnets become energized from the common source and.

actuate thev markers which record simultaneously the amount of work completed by one or more machines. 24. In combination a caslng a clock driven tomatically by operation of the-door of said casing, a source of electrical energy, magnets excited from said source markers operated by said magnets, a switch adapted to close when the machine is running and vice recording drum, a chart thereon, a ribbon and rlbbon-carrier, said ribbon being fed au-,

versa, a clock controlled make-and-break contact in circuit with said switch whereby the idle and running time is recorded on the drum by the markers, means for simultane:

ously recording the output of said machines.

25. In combination a means for recording the idle and running time of one or more machines, togetherwith a measuring wheel and pin driven by the machine,-a tumbler lever and a plurality of switches electrically connected, a system of magnets arranged in pairs, an armature carried by each pair of sald magnets, two hammers or markers mounted on each armature,asource of electrical energy exciting said magnets,

a recording d'rum driven from said source,

whereby on the completion of a definite chart and ribbon thereon, said ribbon being automatically fed by the operation of the' casing door a plate-supporting said ribbon and inclined at an angle to the drum axis, a system of magnets energized from said source, markers operated by said magnets, a slot in said'ribbon supporting plate corresponding with the position of the markers, a' clock controlled make-and-break, a switch in circuit with the source, make-and-break and magnets; said switch being adapted to close the electric circuit when the machine is running whereby the time of running is recorded on the recording drum by said markers, a measuring wheel and pin driven by the machine, a tumbler lever and a plurality of electrically connected switches and carried by each of said armatures, whereby on the completion of a definite amount of work the measuring pin completes another electric circuit the momentary current caused therein energizing the magnets and causing the markers to record on the chart the work done.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signat-ure in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES HIOKTON.

Witnesses:

R. vW. ASHTON POTTER, T. B. Cox. 

